Christian Initiation/RCIA

The Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) form the foundation of the Christian faith life. Often, Catholic families baptize their children as infants as the beginning of their faith journey and at a later time celebrate the other sacraments of initiation throughout their lifetime.The Rite of Christian Initiation (or RCIA) celebrates these three Sacraments of Initiation together at the Easter Vigil. This once a year celebration forms and informs our view of these sacraments and their importance to the beginnings of membership in the Church and our lives thereafter as disciples on mission.

Who is the RCIA for?

For Adults who are not baptized yet, but are interested in how to become catholic members of the church, the Rite of Christian Initiation (or RCIA) is an appropriate way to discern and prepare adults to enter the Catholic Church. Most begin as Inquirers interested in learning more about Christ and the Church. If they wish to proceed further, such Inquirers are more formally welcomed into the Catechumenate through which they go through further instruction and discernment in preparation for celebrating the Sacraments of Initiation.

Adults who are baptized in a different Christian denomination, unbaptized children over the age of 8, or children from another Christian denomination also may seek to become members of the catholic church through this type of catechumenalpreparation and accompanying Rites (i.e Liturgical Celebrations) that are part of this catechumenal process for adults or children.

Where do I begin?Who can I talk to about this?

If you are an unbaptized adult, or an adult from another Christian denomination and are interested in the RCIA, (or Adult Confirmation in English) please contact Jay Cuasay, Director of Christian Formation at 703-430-0811 ext. 112.

If you have an unbaptized child over the age of 8 or a child baptized in another Christian denomination interested in becoming catholic, please contact Harvesta Greene Williams, Director of Religious Education at 703-430-0811 ext. 114 and ask about the children's catechumenate.

For help with Adult or Children's Catechumenate in Spanish, as well as Adult Confirmationin Spanish, please contact Amelia Silva, Director of Spanish Religious Education at 703-430-0811 ext. 129